When planning an Aspen ski vacation, there are many items to check off the to-do list: flights, lodging, restaurant reservations, equipment rentals, lessons, and more. But perhaps the most essential piece of the puzzle is deciding how you will access to the ski slopes.
Unlike the old days when you would walk up to the ticket office and purchase your one-day lift ticket, Aspen Snowmass skiers now have a variety of options for accessing our four ski areas, all of which should be purchased in advance.
Read on to understand the differences between lift tickets and ski passes to see which product is right for you.
All uphill skiers must purchase and display an Uphill Pass ($69 or included with a Premier Pass). See the official uphilling routes and policies in Aspen Snowmass >>
Season passes are not the right choice for visitors, unless they are spending the entire ski season in Aspen. If that’s the case, visitors should consider how many days per week and how many days total they are hoping to ski. If it's more than two days per week or more than 14 days during the season, a Premier Pass is their best bet. (Some locals purchase Alpine Passes which include one-day or two-day-a-week access as well as discounts to add days.)
Season passes have variable pricing based on when you purchase them. Buy them early for the lowest price, and don’t forget to add insurance!
Recommended for second-homeowners and visitors who frequent another ski resort, Aspen Snowmass is part of the Mountain Collective Pass, Ikon Pass, and the Colorado Ski Country Gold Pass.
Mountain Collective Passholders receive two days of skiing at 25 destinations, including Aspen Snowmass. Additional days can be purchased at 50% off. There are no blackout dates!
The Ikon Pass comes at four different levels of access, but only the top two provide access to Aspen Snowmass ski areas.
The CSC Gold Pass gives skiers access to 20 CSC member ski areas including the Aspen Snowmass ski resorts and many other world-class destinations like Copper Mountain, Steamboat, and Telluride. The Gold Pass is transferable but can only be used once a day per person and at one ski area per day. There are no blackout dates and no residency restrictions, i.e., you don’t have to live in Colorado to purchase one!
A tried-and-true solution for visitors, Aspen Snowmass lift tickets are best for those skiing between one and 12 days. They are easy to purchase, transfer, and use to access all four ski areas. Lift ticket prices are now posted for the 2022-23 ski season, and visitors can find savings by following these tips:
Aspen Snowmass offers a “Lift Ticket Guarantee” that makes it easy to return unused days or transfer credit to another skier.
Our concierge team can purchase lift tickets in advance at a discounted price and have them waiting for guests at arrival. After you have booked your vacation rental, send the following information to Concierge (at) FriasProperties (dot) com.
Start planning your Aspen ski vacation by searching our vacation rentals online or browsing our winter lodging deals. If you'd like help selecting your rental, contact our Aspen-based reservations team here.
All prices were accurate as of the publishing date: Oct. 11, 2022. Information may change, and we recommend checking with the selling party for the most accurate pricing, deadlines, and details.